Main accused in Mumbai hooch tragedy, in which 102 died, arrested in Delhi

The main accused in the Malwani spurious liquor tragedy, that claimed the lives of 102 people, was arrested in Delhi on Tuesday in a joint operation carried out by the northeast Delhi police and Mumbai police. The accused was arrested from Delhi's Seelampur area.

The main accused in the Malwani spurious liquor tragedy, that claimed the lives of 102 people, was arrested in Delhi's Seelampur area on Tuesday.

The accused will be produced in Delhi's Karkardooma court where Mumbai Police will seek his transit remand.

Ateeq Khan (the one with his face covered with black cloth) is the main accused in the Mumbai hooch tragedy that claimed 102 lives. (HT photo)

The accused Ateeq Khan is a native of Kanpur district in Uttar Pradesh and he was staying in Malwani in Mumbai's Malad (West) with his wife. He was hiding in Seelampur at one of his friend's place and was nabbed during a joint operation carried out by Mumbai and Delhi Police.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has ordered a state-wide crackdown on illicit liquor mafias.

On Tuesday, excise minister Eknath Khadse told reporters after the weekly cabinet meeting that the probe would be conducted by chief secretary Swadheen Kshtriya.

"The government has ordered a probe under the chief secretary to enquire into the deaths caused in the unfortunate Malwani hooch tragedy," Khadse said.

The minister also informed that the chief secretary has been asked to submit the report in three months.

Khadse also said that the cabinet has approved a proposal to invoke provisions of Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous activities of slum lords, bootleggers, drug offenders and Dangerous persons Act (MPDA) against those involved in black marketing of essential commodities.

Similarly, repeat offenders involved in illegal trafficking of sand would be booked under MCOCA, he said. Rattled by the tragedy, which took place at the Laxmi Nagar slum in Malwani on Wednesday night, Khadse had earlier said the government would bring in a harsher law to deal with the menace with provisions to ensure that those arrested for distilling and selling illicit liquor would not get bail for at least for one year after their arrest.

So far, seven persons have been arrested in the case and eight police and four excise officials suspended. All of those arrested are in police custody.